| Submit your comments on this article |
| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| UNIFIL Military Commander: Lebanon not Iraq or Afghanistan - Yet |
| 2007-06-26 |
| Interesting photo accompanies the article. Gen. Claudio Graziano, commander of the U.N. peacekeepers in this conflict-ridden country, said Lebanon is not yet like war-torn Iraq or Afghanistan where suicide attacks and car bombs are regular occurrences. Graziano said the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) does not know who was behind Sunday's car bombing that killed six members of the Spanish contingent -- three Spaniards and three Colombians. But the Italian general told The Associated Press in an interview from Ibl el Saqi in south Lebanon that he was sure the attackers aimed to undermine peace in Lebanon and the region. That limits the number of suspects, somewhat. The car bomb that blew up an armored personnel carrier was the first attack against U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon since an expanded force deployed almost a year ago to monitor a cease-fire that halted last summer's war between Israel and Hizbullah. That attack carried some similarities to the roadside bombs targeting U.S. and allied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan -- attacks that were carried out by militant groups, including al-Qaida. Asked whether he foresees a similar situation in south Lebanon, Graziano replied: "Not yet." "Now there are some elements -- minor for sure -- some small elements who want to hamper the peace process for many reasons that we don't know yet. At this point, it is very difficult to mention that it is becoming something similar to Iraq and Afghanistan while the situation is completely, totally different," he said. I can imagine that it's very difficult for an Italian general operating under a UN mandaate to mention that the situation is becoming something similar to Iraq and Afghanistan. "That doesn't mean they are not trying because a terrorist has to carry on his agenda," he said at the Spanish contingent's base in this southern town just after the commemoration ceremony for the six fallen peacekeepers. Unlike the NYT or the Washington Post, Graziono has no problem calling his enemies "terrorists". Graziano would not speculate whether it was al-Qaida or other groups behind the attack, saying it was too early to tell. "I'm not in a condition to speculate ... There are a lot of people working and investigating." But he added: "For sure, we can say we have to look maybe to who has interest in keeping disorder in the south of Lebanon." Actually, that's pretty bold talk, considering the circumstances. I doubt we'd be hearing even that much if Chirac were still in power. Since the arrival of the reinforced UNIFIL force last summer, Graziano said the peacekeepers received many threats, "and we took all the threats very seriously, even if they were not direct." "But of course we can understand there are people who don't like at all 1701 (the cease-fire resolution), don't like at all the peace process, to see a stable south Lebanon. So we took always (the threats) very seriously," the general said. A truly ponderous exercise in circumlocution when everyone knows that he's pointing all ten fingers at Syria and Iran He said security measures were taken but "it's very difficult to make any preventive action when such kind of terrorist action happens." Graziano would not say what security precautions peacekeepers were taking after Sunday's attack, saying they would remain confidential. However, those familiar with the UNIFIL movements say that since Sunday, troops have donned helmets and flak jackets all the time, in contrast with the more relaxed atmosphere before the attack.(AP-Naharnet) |
| Posted by:mrp |